A TYNE Valley branch of the HSBC bank looks set to survive a raft of closures across the UK.

The bank, formerly known as Midland Bank, has had maintained its prominent position on Hexham's Fore Street for decades.

The company announced on Tuesday that 82 branches across the UK will close this year, starting with Edinburgh’s Princes Street branch, with approximately three closing each week until the end of September.

But the Hexham branch has not been named on the list of those due to close.

HSBC said the Covid-19 pandemic has seen a greater shift to online banking but insisted the closures were not entirely related to the lockdowns and restrictions introduced.

Jackie Uhi, HSBC UK’s head of network, said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has emphasised the need for the changes that we are making.

“It hasn’t pushed us in a different direction but reinforces the things that we were focusing on before and has crystallised our thinking.

“This is a strategic direction that we need to take to have a branch network fit for the future.

“Making sure we have a sustainable branch network is essential to us, and decisions to close branches are not taken lightly.

“By ensuring we have the most suitable branch format in each specific local market that we serve, we will ensure that we are in good shape to meet the challenges ahead.”

To see the full list of proposed HSBC branch closures, see https://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/national/uk-today/19022148.hsbc-close-82-uk-branches---area-affected/